I took one of these services back in 2020, obviously before the pandemic kicked off. For that trip, our train was a MAX Tanigawa formed of two E4 series bilevel trains. I believe on the outbound we stopped at Ueno and Omiya before running fast to Echigo-Yuzawa. 2020, like 2024, was a very poor winter in Japan, and the much lauded deep powder was definitely absent. But it was still fun to go from central Tokyo to a ski slope in under 2 hours, including renting skis and purchasing a lift ticket.
Tidbit: This along with the Hakata-Minami Line are the only two sections of the Shinkansen classified as a conventional line. As a result, there is no limited express surcharge to travel these section of track.
Ah yeah Oslo Metro 1 is another ski-shuttle i am familier with 🤣ruclips.net/video/MKWcmX_NclU/видео.htmlsi=AtpVD9yxOR-RT6ft I think a revisit to Norway is long overdue
Third comment, not bad! We've got the world's longest ski train probably, 1 day 15 hours from Moscow to Khibiny near Murmansk up North. That Green Class has such a fancy interior, but 275 kph seems rather slow for a Shinkansen.
@@krissp8712 freight runs on the same lines pretty much all of the time. There are a few small branches and some bypass routes in Tokyo and Osaka though.
But seriously, why the trains run slow in Tokyo and up to Saitama's Omiya Ward, is the density of the population next to the tracks and hence stricter noise regulations. ruclips.net/video/wtU77h1B5TM/видео.htmlsi=FIM83qZ8sJUkX0Lu
Speaking of Echigo-Yuzawa station, I still miss the 160 km/h Hakutaka limited express on the Hokuhoku line...
I took one of these services back in 2020, obviously before the pandemic kicked off. For that trip, our train was a MAX Tanigawa formed of two E4 series bilevel trains. I believe on the outbound we stopped at Ueno and Omiya before running fast to Echigo-Yuzawa. 2020, like 2024, was a very poor winter in Japan, and the much lauded deep powder was definitely absent. But it was still fun to go from central Tokyo to a ski slope in under 2 hours, including renting skis and purchasing a lift ticket.
Sounds like some fun trips :D Lucky you managed the E4 before they got retired, those have always been the coolest Shinkansen in my eyes
The Tanigawa service and the Echigo-Yuzawa turnarounds are used for commuter services for people taking short trips into Tokyo and back!!
Tidbit: This along with the Hakata-Minami Line are the only two sections of the Shinkansen classified as a conventional line. As a result, there is no limited express surcharge to travel these section of track.
Simon, this video is great! ❤ Next goal... Oriental Express Singapore
Vossebanen is another great ski train. So is Oslo metro line 1🤣
Ah yeah Oslo Metro 1 is another ski-shuttle i am familier with 🤣ruclips.net/video/MKWcmX_NclU/видео.htmlsi=AtpVD9yxOR-RT6ft I think a revisit to Norway is long overdue
I wish that Line 1 trains ran 6 car trains as far as Majorstuen station before detaching into two separate 3 car trains...
Third comment, not bad! We've got the world's longest ski train probably, 1 day 15 hours from Moscow to Khibiny near Murmansk up North. That Green Class has such a fancy interior, but 275 kph seems rather slow for a Shinkansen.
Only in Japan 275 kph can be considered slow 🤣 Thanks for watching!
Most shinkansen operates between 260-275. Only 2 lines operates at 300+
Does Japan have any freight trains? I have never seen any.
Very few, but there are some!
Yess they do have them however most of those train operates between then northern regions like Aomori and Hokkaido.
@@blackmercury956 the Tokaido line takes more freight traffic than the Tohoku routes
I think the main reason is that freight runs on separate lines pretty much all of the time. In the US and UK, a lot of track can be shared.
@@krissp8712 freight runs on the same lines pretty much all of the time. There are a few small branches and some bypass routes in Tokyo and Osaka though.
Yeah... stepping foot inside the Granclass without a valid ticket is a big no-no.
But seriously, why the trains run slow in Tokyo and up to Saitama's Omiya Ward, is the density of the population next to the tracks and hence stricter noise regulations.
ruclips.net/video/wtU77h1B5TM/видео.htmlsi=FIM83qZ8sJUkX0Lu
Most interesting! Had no idea you have been to Japan
Last month i went! Many more videos to come
@@Simon-Andersen Excellent! Looking fwd to them!
IMO the E7 is the best looking high speed train out there
Its probably my favorite of the Shinkansen!
lol
Meow
it's because it run up to a ski resort, time saved : 10 minutes